Xiatech TC3500L High-Temperature & High-Pressure Transient Hot-Wire Thermal Conductivity Analyzer
| Brand | Xiatech |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shaanxi, China |
| Model | TC3500L |
| Measurement Principle | Transient Hot-Wire Method |
| Temperature Range | RT+10°C to 650°C |
| Pressure Range | 0.1–5 MPa |
| Thermal Conductivity Range | 0.0005–0.5 W/(m·K) |
| Accuracy | < ±10% |
| Repeatability | ±5% |
| Sample State | Gaseous |
| Test Duration | ≤2 s |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 50 cm × 50 cm × 80 cm |
| Compliance | Designed for ASTM D7896-21 and ISO 22007-2 compliant workflows |
Overview
The Xiatech TC3500L is a precision-engineered transient hot-wire thermal conductivity analyzer specifically designed for high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous media. It operates on the internationally standardized transient hot-wire (THW) principle—where a thin, electrically heated platinum wire serves as both heater and temperature sensor—and measures thermal conductivity by analyzing the time-dependent voltage decay across the wire following a short current pulse. This method eliminates convective interference through sub-second measurement duration (≤2 s), making it uniquely suited for low-density, high-diffusivity gases under extreme thermodynamic conditions. The TC3500L supports continuous operation from ambient +10°C up to 650°C and withstands pressures up to 5 MPa, enabling direct acquisition of thermal conductivity as a function of both temperature and pressure—critical for equation-of-state validation, combustion modeling, and supercritical fluid process design.
Key Features
- Transient hot-wire measurement architecture with integrated platinum micro-wire sensor and active temperature stabilization
- High-temperature furnace system rated to 650°C with axial thermal uniformity better than ±2°C over 30 mm sample zone
- Full-range pressure control module (0.1–5 MPa) featuring digital servo-valve regulation and traceable pressure transducer calibration (ISO/IEC 17025 accredited)
- Automated test sequencing: single-run acquisition of κ(T) and κ(P) curves without manual parameter reconfiguration
- Rugged stainless-steel pressure vessel with dual O-ring sealing, leak-tight to <1×10⁻⁹ mbar·L/s (helium tested)
- Embedded real-time data acquisition engine sampling at 100 kHz, supporting raw voltage-time waveform export for post-test analysis
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The TC3500L accepts any non-corrosive or mildly corrosive gas—including N₂, CO₂, CH₄, H₂, Ar, He, air, flue gas mixtures, and synthetic natural gas—without requiring chemical compatibility certification beyond standard material exposure limits. All wetted parts are constructed from 316L stainless steel and high-purity alumina ceramics, ensuring long-term stability in oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The instrument meets mechanical safety requirements per PED 2014/68/EU and electromagnetic compatibility per EN 61326-1:2013. Data integrity protocols align with GLP and GMP expectations: audit trails record operator ID, timestamp, environmental parameters (T, P), and calibration history for each test sequence—fully compatible with FDA 21 CFR Part 11–enabled LIMS integration.
Software & Data Management
The TC3500L is operated via Xiatech’s proprietary ThermoConduct v3.2 software suite, deployed on Windows 10/11 platforms. The interface provides guided workflow navigation—from gas purging and baseline equilibration to multi-point T/P ramping—and supports simultaneous visualization of raw decay curves, first-order linearized plots, and final κ values with uncertainty propagation. Export formats include CSV (with metadata headers), MATLAB .mat, and PDF reports containing ISO 22007-2–compliant uncertainty budgets. Software validation documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ templates) and electronic signature support are available upon request for regulated laboratory environments.
Applications
- Thermophysical property validation for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) input databases
- Development and verification of transport property models (e.g., Eucken, Chapman–Enskog, kinetic theory extensions)
- Quality assurance of industrial gases (e.g., semiconductor-grade N₂, medical O₂ blends) across temperature-pressure envelopes
- Research on high-temperature gas behavior in aerospace propulsion systems and nuclear reactor coolants
- Calibration reference for secondary methods (e.g., comparative cut-bar, guarded hot-plate) under non-ambient conditions
- Support for ASTM D7896-21 (Standard Test Method for Thermal Conductivity of Gases Using the Transient Hot-Wire Technique)
FAQ
What gases can be tested with the TC3500L?
The system accommodates all common permanent gases and gas mixtures, provided they do not chemically attack 316L stainless steel or alumina at operating temperatures and pressures.
Is calibration traceable to national standards?
Yes—factory calibration uses NIST-traceable reference gases (Ar, N₂) and certified pressure standards; optional on-site recalibration services include ISO/IEC 17025–accredited certificates.
Can the TC3500L operate under vacuum or inert purge conditions?
It supports initial evacuation to ≤10⁻² mbar and subsequent backfilling with any test gas; inert purge capability is standard for oxygen-sensitive measurements.
How is convection suppressed during high-temperature gas testing?
The ≤2 s measurement window ensures thermal diffusion dominates over buoyancy-driven convection—even at 650°C—eliminating the need for complex flow suppression hardware.
Does the system support unattended multi-point temperature/pressure sweeps?
Yes—programmable test sequences allow automated execution of up to 50 discrete (T,P) points with full data logging and error recovery logic.
